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From: esrun3
Date: 11-01-2005, 08:51 AM (1 of 14)
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anyone have this machine? bigger expense than I had planned but by the same token don't plan on upgrading anytime soon so...... Haven't had time to even take it out of the box yet but have a class on it on Thursday night. any tips/problems, etc I should watch for? Thanks.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: toadusew
Date: 11-01-2005, 09:20 AM (2 of 14)
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I don't have the 910, but I do have the 905 and I think the only real difference is the LCD screen that the 910 has; otherwise, it's the same machine. There was about a $200 difference in price and I chose to just look at the manual instead of having the screen, although there are days when I wish I had gotten the 910. However, I am very happy with my serger! I really haven't had any problems with my serger, other than operator error.  It is easy to thread, although it takes some practice and has to be threaded in a certain order. My serger also came with a box of extra presser feet and I use 2 of those all the time. For now, I mostly use the serger to finish seams. You do have to fiddle with the tension a bit--at least that has been my experience, but I think it's my preference more than anything else. For the most part, you can keep your tension dials set on "N" and it works well. I have used this on knits/fleece and using the differential feed setting worked beautifully! I've had this machine a year and love it, but still don't know all it can do. After we make our move, I hope to be able to spend more quality time with it.I'm sure you will love the 910 and after you take your class, you'll probably know more than I do! LOL Maybe you can give me some tips then.
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: toadusew
Date: 11-01-2005, 09:22 AM (3 of 14)
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I forgot to say that I also find that I have to play with the stitch length a bit, but that's not too big a deal really. Happy Sewing/Serging! 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: esrun3
Date: 11-01-2005, 12:55 PM (4 of 14)
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Thanks for the info! I went with the LCD screen mostly because it tells you what to set all those dials on etc. The threading looked a little scary but I'm sure if I sit with it and play I'll figure it out. I had my grandson all weekend and just never got to pulling it out of the box. I know it came with 2 feet and that there are extras you can buy and I'm hoping the class will give me some good ideas. It's a 2 class thing and I'm thinking that the first one is kind of a "this is your machine and you can sit down and do this right away" type of thing.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: debsews
Date: 11-01-2005, 03:22 PM (5 of 14)
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I have the 936 and I have found it's very easy to thread. I think the only difference in the two is that the 936 does the coverstitch and maybe one or two others that the 910 doesn't. I almost went with that one but got a good deal on the 936 and so went with that instead. I'm taking my first class on the 7th and hopefully I'll know more than serging a seam. Good luck. you'll love it. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 11-02-2005, 06:57 PM (6 of 14)
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I have the 910, I like it a lot, my only beef is the needles are set fairly far back from the cutting blades so you have to be careful with corners. Other than that I really enjoy this machine, for me the LCD screen was worth the extra $$.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: toadusew
Date: 11-03-2005, 09:19 AM (7 of 14)
Even though I love my serger, the 905, I sometimes wish I had spent the extra money for the screen. It would have been a little less time consuming than always having to look things up in the manual. However, I am still really happy with my serger! One of these days, I'm going to learn how much it can really do besides finish seams! 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 11-06-2005, 01:28 AM (8 of 14)
| There are many books about serging on the market that help to self teach on these lovely machines. The local library probably has some books on serging or even used bookstores. You might even find some good videos in your search. It seems even in reading some of the magazines on the market with articles about serging we learn new things about the new machines, their features and all that they can do. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 11-06-2005, 09:58 AM (9 of 14)
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As a service tech I can tell you the 910 as well as the 905 and 936 have excellent service records. They also all have very high cusumer satisfaction ratings. You will be very happy with that machine. ( We no longer sell viking machines so its not in my best interest to talk up that machine but it is good.)
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: esrun3
Date: 11-06-2005, 11:09 PM (10 of 14)
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Tom, glad to hear about the service record-you ask but you never really know when you are getting the info from a sales person. I had my first class on Thursday and at least I'm not so afraid of it. Have used it this weekend, some looping but it's probably me. Plan on taking the examples to class this Thursday and see what the instructor says. Sometimes it sews great without the looping and sometimes it loops some at the edge of the seam. No changes to the settings between when it does this and doesn't. So....as I said, I'm sure it's something I'm doing and not the machine! LOL Did managed to get 2 pairs of pj's done for grandkids with it so am happy so far. Thanks for all the feedback. I'm thinking I need to buy a good solid book on beginning serging though because I want to be sure and get my money's worth out of it-not just use it for finishing seams. Will check out the library this week.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 11-07-2005, 02:35 AM (11 of 14)
| Lyn, if your stitches are looping over the edge of the fabric you might want to change your width or byte and see if that helps. In doing some stitches like flatlock then you do want the stitches to go over the end of the fabric so you can later pull them flat. Sergers are so much fun when we learn all that they can do. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: esrun3
Date: 11-07-2005, 08:35 AM (12 of 14)
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Lyn, if your stitches are looping over the edge of the fabric you might want to change your width or byte and see if that helps. In doing some stitches like flatlock then you do want the stitches to go over the end of the fabric so you can later pull them flat. Sergers are so much fun when we learn all that they can do. I'm doing a 4 thread overlock. You mean move the cutter out so it's a wider cut? I had no problems in class with this but I was using the thread that came with the machine and I think it is heavier than what the viking dealer said to buy from them-their own Viking brand thread. I only started having the problem when I used the new thread. Is the heavier thread better? Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: toadusew
Date: 11-07-2005, 09:54 AM (13 of 14)
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I was using the serger to finish seams last night--prior to construction--and had some looping on the underside of the seam. Now, I was tired and I feel sure this was operator error and not the machine. LOL It was aggravating though since some of the seams look nice, and some don't. I figure if it's an issue--I'll sew my seams as usual, serge them off and press them to one side rather than press them open as I had originally planned. I did find that I had to slightly tighten the tension on both loopers and I also have go with a shorter stitch length to simply finish a seam prior to construction. I really should learn to write those settings down so I'll remember every time. 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 11-08-2005, 03:45 AM (14 of 14)
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I had a little notebook that I started out faithfully writing down my settings when I first got my Janome serger, but now I think I have 'filed' it somewhere. I did start writing stuff down in the manual, that way I don't lose it, it sure is handy to have those settings written somewhere.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
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